By JOE APU
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) will kick off its 2025/26 season on August 22, 2025, with the campaign set to conclude on May 24, 2026, according to an official announcement by the league’s board on Friday.
The announcement, which follows a comprehensive review of the recently concluded 2024/25 season, underscores the NPFL’s commitment to sustaining a consistent football calendar for improved planning and development across all stakeholders.
Chairman of the NPFL, Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye, said the board is determined to institutionalize a fixed annual calendar to help clubs, players, match officials, and scouts align their schedules more effectively.
“This is the first time in many years, perhaps since the start of the new era of the Nigeria Premier Football League in 2005, that a start and end date have been strictly implemented,” Elegbeleye said. “That was our commitment, and we delivered. Now, we’re taking it forward by confirming that the 2025/26 season will begin on August 22 and wrap up on May 24 next year.”
Highlighting key statistics from the just-concluded season, Elegbeleye praised the performance of Remo Stars, who secured the league title with three matches to spare after a decisive victory over Niger Tornadoes on Matchday 35, April 27.
Across 380 fixtures played, the league recorded 286 wins and 94 draws, with a total of 784 goals scored. Home teams dominated with 244 wins, while away sides managed 42 victories. A total of 552 goals were scored at home and 232 by visiting teams.
Of the 76 penalties awarded, 60 were converted and 16 missed. The season also saw 13 own goals and four hat-tricks.
In terms of discipline, officials issued 1,380 yellow cards and 56 red cards throughout the campaign.
Nasarawa United’s Yusuf Anas finished as the league’s top scorer with 18 goals. He was closely followed by Kano Pillars’ veteran midfielder Rabiu Ali with 13 goals, and Abia Warriors’ Anthony Ijoma with 12.
The season also saw an unprecedented level of broadcast exposure. Elegbeleye disclosed that a record 188 matches were aired live on Startimes, while Propel Sports Africa streamed over 200 fixtures globally on its OTT platform.